The three‑hour session on Tuesday marked the first direct contact between the United States and Iran since the cease‑fire collapsed, but no concrete agreement was disclosed, according to U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz on Wednesday’s Morning Edition.
Waltz said the U.S. team is “literally internalizing what they brought to the table,” but declined to detail Iran’s proposal, describing the talks as “significant” because of the historic re‑engagement.
He emphasized that any Iranian offer would need to come in “good faith” and warned that Iran could not legally use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, likening such a move to Spain or Morocco choking off the Strait of Gibraltar.
Iran has publicly stated it would be willing to reopen the Hormuz shipping lane if Washington eases military pressure and lifts the blockade on Iranian ports, a condition Waltz said the U.S. would have to consider.
Waltz, a former Green Beret and three‑term Florida congressman who was moved to the U.N. after being sidelined as Trump’s national security adviser, referenced the “Signal chat scandal” that led to his reassignment.
President Donald Trump, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, paired diplomatic overtures with a threat of force, saying a deal could help Iran rebuild but also warning that the U.S. would “annihilate” Iran if no agreement is reached.
A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released Wednesday showed 42% of registered voters preferred Democrats over Republicans on foreign‑policy handling, with Trump’s overall job approval at 39%.
The administration has not indicated any immediate next steps, leaving the future of the negotiations uncertain as both sides assess the limited progress made at the table.